Background Since the beginning from the last century particularly complex and diversified industrial activities have settled in Fraschetta; an area with a population of 15.138 inhabitants in the eastern suburbs of Alessandria. As a consequence, Fraschetta, which was formerly used for waste landfill, suffers from polluting emissions, water pollution, noise and heavy transport use. Prior to this LIFE project, steps to limit pollution were only taken when regulatory limits had already been exceeded - thus the approach to environmental management was one of damage limitation rather than prevention. Objectives The L.IN.FA (LIFE-Environment Interventions for Fraschetta Area) project aimed to build a new preventative approach to environmental problems in the Fraschetta area. Focusing on air quality and noise abatement, an innovative air and noise monitoring system, linked to an up-to-date real-time database, was to be developed. This tool would be used to simulate pollution situations and the potential effects of planning decisions and territorial management choices. It would enable the municipal and provincial administrations to take informed decisions and plan future actions in the environment and health fields. Building a new preventative approach to environmental problems in the Fraschetta area was to involve a wide range of stakeholders such as public authorities, educational facilities, businesses and environmental groups. Results The L.IN.F.A project was successful in developing innovative measures to tackle pollution problems in the Fraschetta area. The actions have been carried out using advanced scientific technologies and are highly transferable to similar town situations throughout the EU. The main environmental achievement of the project was the development of a scientific tool able to forecast the evolution of pollution conditions and consequently find strategies for correcting and/or preventing them. This tool uses the most advanced technologies to forecast, simulate and evaluate pollution levels and the likely impact of adopted policies. The development of this innovation involved all the interested bodies in environmental pollution prevention and correction (region, province, municipality, health organisations, university, etc.). To develop the monitoring tool, the data was collected using techniques such as biomonitoring, remote sensing systems, and satellite photographs. Modelling (e.g. three dimensional models to study the scattering of air polluting agents) enabled a simulation of the potential effects of planning decisions and territorial management choices. On this basis, systems to support decisions for the most effective environmental scenario were defined. These included e.g. the creation of strategic acoustic maps and zoning as well as recovery plans or the definition of criteria and areas to locate local territorial boards. By preventing air and noise pollution environmental costs can be reduced or avoided. Some of the positive socioeconomic effects of improved air quality and noise reduction are as follows: • prevent environmental and health problems among the local population; • possibility of implementing environmental policies with a highly scientific tool; • general improvement in the quality of life; • reduction of absence from work due to illness; • reduction of law suits linked to environmental problems in the Fraschetta area; • greater awareness among social actors of environmental problems. The beneficiary and its partners established an institutional body to elaborate strategies and carry out actions with regard to environmental improvements and human health in the Fraschetta area. It was up and running at the end of the LIFE project. A partnership cooperation agreement has been signed to continue and expand upon the project’s activities in the future. Furthermore, the Municipality of Alessandria and the Province of Alessandria have formally adopted (in council resolutions) the decision to include decisional criteria in local planning tools and to continue with the project’s activities. Some very effective dissemination activities were carried out, these included the opening of the L.IN.F.A. Environmental Desk. All year round, it provides environmental documentation, information on projects in the local area (including L.IN.F.A.) and is also a meeting place for environmental associations. Other dissemination activities included the production of brochures, posters, and conferences. All of these activities have contributed to generating a high level of information about the project: it is estimated that around 50% of the population of Fraschetta knows about the L.IN.FA project and LIFE. This project has been selected as one of the 21 "Best" LIFE Environment projects in 2007-2008